Have you noticed a sticky, tacky feeling in your mouth? This could point to a condition called dry mouth, in which a lack of saliva and moisture in the mouth leads to a dry oral environment. Not only does this feel uncomfortable, but it could put your smile at risk of many dental problems.
If dry mouth becomes chronic, you might have an underlying dental issue that requires intervention from your dentist. But you can get rid of many instances of dry mouth from the comfort of your home. Read on to find three potential methods of resolving minor cases of dry mouth on your own.
3 Ways to Get Rid of Dry Mouth
Stay Hydrated
If you get dehydrated, you put your body at risk of many health conditions. One of the issues that may occur is that you produce less saliva, which will result in dry mouth. A dry oral environment allows the natural bacteria in the mouth to spread with ease across your teeth.
This heightens your risk of oral infections like gum disease. This infection of the gum tissue can cause major structural damage to your smile, including tooth loss. Prevent these dental dangers by staying hydrated.
You should drink at least eight eight-ounce glasses of water each day to maintain adequate levels of hydration. If you consume caffeine or other items that can dehydrate you, drink more water to compensate for this.
Stimulate Saliva Production
If you have dry mouth, you can stimulate your glands to produce more saliva through the acting of chewing. But you may not want to disrupt your usual diet by eating when not hungry. Instead, consider chewing sugar-free gum to encourage saliva production.
Choosing gum that does not contain sugar is important if you want to protect your dental health. Sugar becomes acidic when it reacts with saliva, and it can then eat away at your dental structure, giving you cavities and other dental problems. Steer clear of added sugar by chewing sugar-free gum when you have dry mouth.
Evaluate Environmental Factors
Sometimes exterior elements can lead you to develop dry mouth. Next time you feel that your mouth is dry, pay attention to your surroundings. If you notice that your symptoms appear in a certain room or if you spot another pattern, consider altering your environment.
For instance, dry air within a room can also dry out your mouth. If you cannot avoid this room, try using a humidifier. This adds moisture to the air so that it will not heighten your risk of dry mouth.
If you do not notice any correlation between your environment and your symptoms, yet dry mouth persists, call your dentist. They can evaluate your smile and let you know if an underlying dental problem is causing this issue. Then they can provide appropriate treatment to prevent further dental harm.
Learn more by contacting your dentist in Gaithersburg, MD at 240.226.1482.
